The Kashmir Dispute

India vs Pakistan

The Kashmir dispute has been around for 50 years; ever since India and Pakistan gained independence from England. The two countries have been fighting over the city of Kashmir since then. At this point in time, India controls 2/3 of Kashmir, and Pakistan controls 1/3.

In 1947 after World War II, the independent countries of India and Pakistan were created from England's Indian Empire. The city of Kashmir is right on the border of India and Pakistan, and since 1947, there has been a dispute over who owns which part of Kashmir. This dispute has caused three wars, and has killed over 60, 000 people in the past 50 years.

Right now, there are still shots being fired across the border continuously. On September 27, India said they would retaliate if Pakistan didn't stop shooting across the border. On September 30, 18 people died in a shooting, and 30 people were injured. Pakistan has asked the U.S. to help, since they are the world's most powerful country.

Canada is also trying to help. Canada, along with some other Asian countries helped build a community centre provided for the villages surrounding Kashmir. It provides health care and other services.

The Kashmir dispute is quite important because of its affects on peace and stability between Pakistan, India, and the entire South-Asian continent. This area is vital because it contains a large portion of the world's human population.

India has controlled Kashmir's economy and has thus made them dependant on India for food and other necessities to survive.

In a span of 5 years (between Jan 90 to May 95), there has been a death count exceeding 40, 000 people. There are well over tens of thousands of people who have been illegally tortured and jailed. India has 16 secret service agencies spying on the 7.5 million citizens. Indian troops have on more than one occasion been sent to rampage on villages within Kashmir without warning, and have done such atrocious things as raping over 6,000 women.

It is as bad that Indian troops have been known to store bodies in government warehouses. Bodies were sent to the near of kin's house with specific orders to have a burial in the dark.

'Dawn to dusk' orders are also found as a result of this ongoing battle between India and Pakistan. If anyone is seen before dawn or after dusk, they are to be shot at sight.

The only way to stop this is by a peaceful agreement under the United Nations. Moral support and pressures should also be implied by countries with power such as the United States.

Links to More Information